New Arena’s Top 25 College Football Poll After Week 6

Here’s a look at New Arena’s Top 25 Poll for Week 7 of the 2018-2019 College Football season:

25. Stanford Cardinal

Week 6 result: Lost to Utah 40-21Up next: BYE Trend: -13

The Cardinal have now suffered back-to-back ugly losses following their 40-21 loss to Utah. Playing without star tailback Bryce Love, Stanford faced a 20-point deficit a mere five minutes into the second half. After a brief resurgence had the Cardinal within six, Utah outscored the home team 13-0 in the final quarter.

24. South Florida Bulls

Week 6 result: Defeated Massachusetts 58-42Up next: @ Tulsa Trend: NR

Charlie Strong’s men have done their job thus far. Winning all five of their games as expected, USF is in a good position heading into the back half of their season. Road contests with Houston and Cincinnati, and a home game against UCF all come in the final five weeks.

23. Texas A&M Aggies

Jimbo Fisher notched his first big win of his tenure via a 20-14 victory over Kentucky. The Aggies are staring at a daunting three-game road trip — South Carolina, Mississippi State, Auburn — which has the capability of making or breaking their season.

22. Cincinnati Bearcats

Week 6 result: Defeated Tulane 37-21Up next: BYE Trend: NR

The Bearcats have rattled off six consecutive victories to begin the year and appear to be one of the top-two threats to UCF in the American. Cincy’s defense has been the catalyst, as the Bearcats are allowing 276 yards per game — second in the nation — and 13.7 PPG, good for third in the country.

21. Auburn Tigers

Any hope the Tigers had of reaching the SEC Championship went up in smoke this past weekend in Starkville. With games against A&M, Georgia and Alabama still remaining, the Tigers would be lucky to finish any higher than fifth in the SEC West.

20. Kentucky Wildcats

Week 6 result: Lost to Texas A&MUp next: BYE Trend: -2

Kentucky’s dream season hit a bump in the road against the Aggies, but there is still plenty to play for. Should the Wildcats take care of business against Vanderbilt and Missouri, their matchup with Georgia the first weekend of November would most likely determine the winner of the SEC East.

19. NC State Wolfpack

Week 6 result: Defeated Boston College 28-23Up next: BYE Trend: +5

The Wolfpack are in a great position heading into their bye week. At 2-0 in the ACC and 5-0 overall, State has a very good chance of winning the Atlantic division. With an extra week to prepare for Clemson, this may be State’s best chance to take control of the conference and make noise nationally.

18. Colorado Buffaloes

Week 6 result: Defeated Arizona State 28-21Up next: @ USC Trend: +1

With each passing week the Buffaloes are beginning to look more like the 2016 version of themselves. With back-to-back road games against USC and Washington upcoming, Colorado’s ceiling will be revealed. A win over USC would solidify their standing as the favorite in the South. A victory in Seattle could catapult the Buffaloes into the CFP discussion.

17. Wisconsin Badgers

Week 6 result: Defeated Nebraska 41-24Up next: @ Michigan Trend: —

Wisconsin added to Scott Frost’s misery by keeping Nebraska out of the win column, and the Badgers now have a chance to put themselves back into the thick of the playoff race. Wiscy travels to The Big House for a de facto elimination game against the surging Wolverines.

16. Florida Gators

Week 6 result: Defeated LSU 28-19Up next: @ Vanderbilt Trend: +9

Dan Mullen pulled off his best Steve Spurrier impression (visor and all) and the Gators captured a second huge victory in a row. Knocking off LSU is a tremendous accomplishment for Mullen in his first year. If Florida can upset Georgia in a little over two weeks time, the Gators could run the table and make a case for a New Year’s Bowl.

15. Oklahoma Sooners

Week 6 result: Lost to Texas 48-45Up next: BYE Trend: -9

The Sooners suffered a crushing blow by losing to Texas. Their chances of winning the Big 12 have taken a massive hit. With both Texas and West Virginia ahead of them, Oklahoma would need both teams to slip up (in Texas’ case multiple times) in order to assure a spot in the title game. A second loss would all but eliminate the Sooners from CFP contention.

14. Oregon Ducks

Week 6 result: BYEUp next: vs. Washington Trend: +1

Justin Herbert’s Heisman campaign and Oregon’s CFP push could take a massive jump this weekend. Oregon welcomes the No. 6 Washington Huskies to Eugene in a matchup of the Pac-12’s two best teams. The winner of this matchup will carry the torch for the Pac-12 in their quest for the playoff.

13. Miami Hurricanes

Florida State had the Hurricanes on the ropes late into the third quarter as the home team faced a 20-point deficit. A loss would have ended the Canes playoff hopes. Instead, Miami can now see a clear path to the ACC Championship game. The Canes have four road games remaining, but they should be favored in every game the rest of the way.

12. LSU Tigers

Week 6 result: Lost to Florida 28-19Up next: vs. Georgia Trend: -5

The biggest concern coming out of LSU’s loss in The Swamp has to be the lackluster performance offensively. The key to LSU’s surprising 5-0 start was an improved offense. Against Florida, that element was lacking. The Tigers have a huge opportunity to reassert themselves into the CFP conversation with a victory over Georgia this weekend.

11. Michigan Wolverines

Week 6 result: Defeated Maryland 42-21Up next: vs. Michigan Trend: +5

Starting this weekend, Michigan’s next three games will determine if this is the best team of the Jim Harbaugh tenure. After hosting Wisconsin on Saturday the Wolverines head to East Lansing to take on Michigan State. After a bye following the State game, Michigan hosts Penn State. With three wins, Harbaugh may find his team in the top-5.

10. Texas Longhorns

Week 6 result: Defeated Oklahoma 48-45 Up next: vs. Baylor Trend: +10

Tom Herman has the Longhorns firing on all cylinders. Holding wins over USC, TCU and Oklahoma, the Longhorns have the résumé of a contender. A meeting with West Virginia on the third of November looms large. At this point, Texas controls its destiny. Win out, and the Longhorns may find themselves playing for the ultimate prize.

9. Penn State Nittany Lions

Week 6 result: BYEUp next: vs. Michigan State Trend: +4

The Nittany Lions didn’t play this week, but they were the benefactors of multiple teams ahead of them coming up short. Penn State can put themselves right back in the playoff mix with a win over Sparty this weekend. There is plenty of work to do, but the Nittany Lions remain a contender.

8. UCF Knights

Week 6 result: Defeated SMU 48-20Up next: @ MemphisTrend: +3

The Knights have dominated every game this year. Their two toughest games remaining come at the end of the year — vs. Cincinnati, @ USF. If the Knights win out, they would be carrying a 24-game winning streak. Would it be enough to make the CFP?

7. West Virginia Mountaineers

Week 6 result: Defeated Kansas 38-22Up next: @ Iowa State Trend: +3

An iffy performance against Kansas won’t further the Mountaineers’ chances of making the playoff, but it would be silly to count them out. WVU should head into the final four games of the season undefeated. The question is: Can they get through Texas, TCU, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma in a succession?

6. Washington Huskies

Week 6 result: Defeated UCLA 31-24Up next: @ Oregon Trend: +3

The Huskies withstood UCLA’s best performance of the year and escaped the Rose Bowl with their fifth win. The Huskies remain the Pac-12’s best bet to make the playoffs, but they must make it through the next four weeks unscathed. Following their road tilt with Oregon, UDub faces Colorado, California and Stanford. All winnable games, but not an easy task.

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

With Ian Book on the bench, the Irish struggled to score — 24, 24, 22. In the three games Book has started at QB, the Irish have scored 56, 38 and 45 points. Notre Dame has gotten through the toughest part of their schedule and will be favored the rest of the way. Win and they are in.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

Week 6 result: Defeated Indiana 49-26Up next: vs. Minnesota Trend: —

The Buckeyes avoided a letdown following their big win over Penn State. A favorable schedule should set the Buckeyes up for a do-or-die game against Michigan to end the regular season. A victory over the Wolverines would leave one game standing in between the Buckeyes and the CFP.

3. Clemson Tigers

Week 6 result: Defeated Wake Forest 63-3Up next: BYETrend: —

Clemson followed up its narrow victory over Syracuse by annihilating Wake Forest on the road. The Tigers will gladly welcome a week off to prepare for undefeated NC State. The winner should cruise to the ACC Championship.

2. Georgia Bulldogs

Week 6 result: Defeated Vanderbilt 41-13Up next: @ LSU Trend: —

Georgia has been on cruise control all season, winning every game by at least 14 points. However, the Bulldogs are now entering the toughest part of their season. After facing LSU on the road this weekend, Georgia takes on Florida, travels to Kentucky, and welcomes Auburn to Athens.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Week 6 result: Defeated Arkansas 65-31Up next: vs. MissouriTrend: —

Allowing 31 points to Arkansas is a surefire way to infuriate Nick Saban. But at the end of the day, an offense capable of scoring 65 points will help ease Saban’s concerns. Alabama shouldn’t be tested until they travel to Baton Rouge in early November.

Image Source: Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports

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